San Antonio has a rich cultural history. The seventh largest city in the United States has many influences, the most visible being Mexican. Home to the Alamo (where Tejanos made their famous stand against the Spanish) San Antonio shares her cultural roots with many other groups as well. German flavors may still be found within the area churches or dining at restaurants like Schilo’s on Commerce Street. Hemisfair Park was built to celebrate the many cultural influences in San Antonio for the 1968 World’s Fair. During 1968, Hemisfair Park shared the culture and cuisine from countries as diverse as China, Japan, Germany, Mexico and Brazil. This diverse heritage may not always be apparent in the strong Southwestern influences visible in San Antonio, but can be found with very little effort throughout the city.
Hemisfair Park is a large park located across from La Villita, which is located in the Southeastern corner of the Riverwalk. La Villita is a small group of artisan shops and restaurants nestled between the Riverwalk and Alamo Street. Beyond Alamo Street, a large sign beacons visitors into Hemisfair Park. A directory located near the Alamo Street walkway lays out the park, which also has it’s own Riverwalk entrance located beneath the Hyatt Hotel. The park has several unique attractions dispersed throughout the area. Notably, Tower of Americas, University of Texas’ Institute of Texan Cultures, Magik Theater, Mexican Cultural Institute and the Casa Mexicana Gallery. The park also houses several gardens and fountains, free standing art and the US District Courthouse, an architecturally interesting building with round walls.
Tower of Americas – I will begin with a trivia question…Tower of Americas stands as the second tallest free-standing tower in the United States. Can you name the tallest? If you answered “Seattle Space Needle” you would be wrong. The Seattle Space Needle was built for the World’s Fair in 1962, making it eight years older than Tower of Americas. However, the Seattle tower stands at a mere 605 feet to the 750 feet of the San Antonio version. The tallest free-standing tower is actually the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, which consumes an amazing vertical distance exceeding 1100 feet! Tower of Americas houses a 4-D theater ride called Skies Over Texas, Chart House Restaurant, an observation deck, Flags Over Texas exhibit and a small café, ticket booth and tourist shop on the ground floor with the theater. Admission includes the theater, observation deck and exhibit. Prices run $10.95 for adults, $9.95 for military and $8.95 for children. Coupons are readily available for two dollars off admission if you take time to find them.
University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures – This museum occupies approximately 50,000 feet of floor space designed to engage visitors with multi-sensory exhibits. The emphasis of these exhibits center on Texan culture to include origins of Texan settlers, contemporary local artists, and interactive geometry. A “back 40” area takes visitors back through time to Texas life in the 1800s. Outdoor exhibits demonstrate what life was like for early settlers. Free parking is available at the Museum. Admission to the exhibits runs a modest $7 for adults or $4 for children, seniors and military. Faculty and students of the University can enter for free with their ID.
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